Maryland Public Information Act Manual (19th Ed.) (December 2024)
A resource for both government officials seeking to meet their responsibilities under the Act and members of the press and public seeking access to information. (Click here for a Printable version of the whole PIA Manual - PDF)
| Chapter | Content | Revised date |
|---|---|---|
| Overview - PDF | Preface and Table of Contents | December 2024 |
| Chapter 1 - PDF | Scope and Agency Responsibilities | December 2024 |
| Chapter 2 - PDF | Right of Access to Records | December 2024 |
| Chapter 3 - PDF | Exceptions to Disclosure | December 2024 |
| Chapter 4 - PDF | Request Procedures | December 2024 |
| Chapter 5 - PDF | Judicial Review and Alternative Dispute Resolution | December 2024 |
| Chapter 6 - PDF | Copies | December 2024 |
| Chapter 7 - PDF | Fees | December 2024 |
| Chapter 8 - PDF | Penalties for Noncompliance | December 2024 |
| Chapter 9 - PDF | Research Access | December 2024 |
| Chapter 10 - PDF | Judicial Records | December 2024 |
| Chapter 11 - PDF | The Right to Correction or Amendment of Public Records | December 2024 |
| Chapter 12 - PDF | Restrictions on the Creation and Collection of Personal Records | December 2024 |
| Appendix “A” - PDF | Sample Request Letter | December 2024 |
| Appendix “B” - PDF | Sample 10-Day Letter (or E-Mail) | December 2024 |
| Appendix “C” - PDF | Sample Denial Letter | December 2024 |
| Appendix “D” - PDF | Affidavit of Indigency | December 2024 |
| Appendix “E” - PDF | Public Information Act Annotated Code of Maryland General Provisions Article | December 2024 |
| Appendix “F” - PDF | Model Regulations on Public Information Act | December 2024 |
| Appendix “G” - PDF | Opinions of the Attorney General on the Maryland Public Information Act | December 2024 |
| Appendix “H” - PDF | Responding to Requests Under the Maryland Public Information Act: A Suggested Process | December 2024 |
| Appendix “I” - PDF | Access to Government Records Under the Maryland Public Information Act | December 2024 |
| Appendix "J" - PDF | Public Information Act Representatives | Monthly |
PIA public security exemption report - PDF
Updates to the Manual are made online, and revision dates are posted above.
Correspondence and Opinions Referenced in the PIA Manual
| Date | Author | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| 7-27-83 | Catherine M. Shultz | Clerks of the Circuit Courts - PDF |
| 1-31-95 | Jack Schwartz | Principal Counsel - PDF |
| 8-17-95 (7-26-95) | Jack Schwartz | Principal Counsel - PDF |
| 1-7-2002 | Robert N. McDonald | Committee on Access to Court Records - PDF |